Council president calls for transparency in rebuilding schools

Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young is calling for the two state agencies that will help orchestrate a $1 billion facelift of the city schools' infrastructure participate in annual public hearings before the City Council.

“We are on the cusp of undertaking a transformative, once-in-a-lifetime revitalization of public schools in Baltimore,” Young said in a statement. “We need to do our part to keep the public engaged during the process and ensure that the resources are used in a careful and efficient manner.”

The public is sounding off on the issue of whether Baltimore school police officers should be armed during the school day, as state lawmakers consider whether to move forward with a bill in the Maryland legislature that would lift restrictions on when officers can carry their weapons.

When Baltimore County Public Schools launches a series of eight forums on magnet schools this month, Laurie Trentler will be there. So will Jennifer Comotto, who is organizing a group to attend with her.

A Baltimore city school police officer faces several assault charges, as well as a theft charge, in connection with incidents at a Northeast Baltimore middle school, the Baltimore state's attorney's office announced Monday.